Metal-expanding machine.



PATENTED SEPT. 1, 1903.

G. J. HOLL.

METAL EXPANDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25. 1902.

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H0 MODEL.

N VE N TOR W1 TNESSES Altorney No. 737,930. PATENTED SEPT. 1, 1903. G.J. HOLL.

METAL EXPANDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, 1902.

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PATENTED SEPT. 1, 1903.

G. J. HOLL.

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No. 737,930. PATENTED SEPT. 1, 1903. G. J. HOLL.

METAL EXPANDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25. 1902.

R0 MODEL. 6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

4%? 47 J0 J0 4d ill! 44 l V/ TNESSES: INVENTOR Guam L. /20 66 AttorneyNo. 737,930. PATBNTED SEPT. 1, 1903. G. J. HOLL. METAL EXPANDINGMACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, 1902.

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No. 737,930. PATENTED SEPT. 1, 1903.

' G. J. HOLL.

METAL EXPANDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION TILED NOV. 25. 1902.

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No. 737,930. Patented September 1, 19Q3. UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

nrUSTAV J. IIOLL, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO WM. G. IIURLBERT ANDEVAN J. JOB, OF NILES, OHIO.

METAL-EXPANDING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 737,930, datedSeptember 1, 1903.

.lpplication filed November 25, 1902. Serial No. 132,791. (No motleLl TOm y 0071067711: being shown in position approaching a firm Be it knownthat I, GUSTAV J. HoLL, of contact with a sheet. Fig. 12 isaview of theCleveland, in the county of Ouyahoga and same parts, showing thegrippers in firm con- State of Ohio, have invented certain new and tactwith the sheet. Fig. 13 is an enlarged 55 useful Improvements in MetalExpanding detail view showing the dogs of the delivery- Machines; and Ido hereby declare the fol-' table in their normal position-thatis, outof lowing to be a full, clear, and exact descripengagement. Fig. 14 is aview of the same tion of the invention, such as will enable othparts,showing one of the dogs moved by the ers skilledin the art to which itappertains to slitted and distended sheet so as to be en- 60 :0 make anduse the same. gaged by the other or coacting dog. Fig.

The primary object of this invention is to is a plan view of thestripper-bars and their provide simple and highly-improvedmachinsupports. cry for manufacturing expanded metallic Referring to thedrawings, 1 designates a lathing. feed-table, and 2 a shelf at one sidethereof, 65

15 A further object is to provide means for the table being equippedwith side and cenautomatically feeding a metallic sheet up to tral gages3 for directing the passage of two the slitting-dies and to also effectthe forcing sheets at a time. At the discharge end of or distention ofthe slitted portions in oppothis table are two stops 4, mounted on across-. site directions away from the plane of the rod 5, such stopsbeing designed to normally 7o sheet in one passage of the latter, theslitting project just above the edge of the table to and distendingbeing performed while the arrest the passage of sheets. At the properfeeding operation is being continued. time-to wit, at each completecycle of the A further object is to provide improved machine-cams 6 onone of the shafts of a means for effecting the automatic discharge trainof gearing engage rollers 7 in the ends 75 of the slitted sheets fromthe machine and of levers 8, which levers are connected bydelivery-table onto a conveyer or other snplinks 9 to the stops 4,thereby drawing downport; and a further object is to provide a mawardlyon the latter to allow a sheet to pass chine of the character hereinstated which from the supply-table. The stops are held in aside frombeing positive and efiective in its their normal positions by weights 10on 10- 8o operation will be entirely automatic. vers 8.

The invention will be hereinafter fully set The sheets are withdrawnfrom the feedforth, and particularly pointed out in th table and fed tothe machine by feeding claims. mechanism, shown as composed of upper andInthe accompanyingdrawings,Figurelisa lower feed-rolls 12 and 13 andgrippers 14:.

35 side elevation with portions of the supply and (See Figs. 11 and 12.)These feed-rolls condelivery tables broken away. Fig. 2is a plan sisteach of two spaced-apart disks between view with the supply and deliverytables rewhich the grippers are pivotally hung. The moved. Fig. 3 is aplan view of the latter grippers consist of angularly-bent fingerstable. Fig. 4C is an end view thereof. Fig. hung on cross-pins 15 withtheir outer ends 4o 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view extendedtangentially beyond the peripheries through the slitting-dies andcoacting parts, of the disks, being normally held outwardly taken about011 line 5 5, Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a by springs 16. When two cooperatinggripsectional view on line 6 6, Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is pers of coactingfeed-rolls simultaneously ena plan view of one of the distending-dies.gage a sheet, they are turned on their pivots 5 Fig. 8 is an end viewthereof. Fig. 9 is a deas against the action of their springs 16, andtached view of the frames of the feed and their normally outer ends areforcedinwardly withdrawal rolls, showing their rearward potoward theaxes of the two feed-rolls,.as shown sitions in dotted lines. Fig. 10isan enlarged in Fig. 12. These grippers being extended View of one ofthe stops and the operating tangentially beyond the feed-rolls contactI00 50 mechanism therefor. Fig. 11 is an enlarged with the upper andlower surfaces of the view of the feed-rolls and grippers, the lattersheet in advance of the engagement of the latter with the coactingfeed-rolls, serving thereby in the revolution of the latter to draw thesheet into and between them, the peripheries of such rolls acting on thesheet to feed it forward independently of the grippers. In the furtherrevolution of the feed-rolls the grippers release their hold on thesheet and are again forced outwardly under the action of their springs16. The shafts of these feedrolls have their bearings in oppositeupright frames 17, which frames are pivotally supported at their lowerends on a cross-shaft 18, permitting them to be swung backward andforward within an arc of a circle. The sheet passing beyond thefeed-rolls is engaged by a series of slitting-dies 19, by which it isslitted longitudinally, and thereupon it is engaged by upper and lowerdistending-dies 20, the purpose of which is to force adjacent slittedportions in opposite directions away from each other. Passing beyond thedist-endingdies, the sheet is engaged by a set of withdrawal-rolls 21,the function thereof being to insure the passage of the sheet throughthe machine after it is free of engagement with the feed-rolls 12 andits delivery onto the delivery-table 22.

As before stated, the frames carrying the bearings of the feed-rolls 12are pivotally mounted at their lower ends. The corresponding frames 23of the withdrawal-rolls 21 are likewise mounted on a cross-shaft 24. Toa cross-rod 25, supported by these frames 23, are connected two links26, which at their rear ends are secured to a cross-rod 27, supported byframes 17 of the feed-rolls. A second set of links 28 connect-cross-rodto the upper ends of two arms 29, pivoted at 30 to frame 31. These arms29 support each a roller 32, engaged by cams 33, whereby the two sets offrames carrying the feed and withdrawal rolls are in each cycle ofoperation caused to move rearward1ythat is, in

opposition to the direction of travel of the sheets-a limited distance,as shown in Fig. 9. By this construction I am enabled to continue theoperation of the feed-rolls, as well as the operation ofthe-withdrawal-rolls, while the sheet is held stationary by theslittingdies or the distending-dies, or both, without danger of bucklingconsequent upon overfeeding, as would occur if the feed-rolls re mainedin fixed position and in continuous operation while either or both setsof dies were acting on the sheets. The cams 33 are on a cross-shaft 34,which is driven by a miter-gearing between itself and an inclined shaft35 at one side of frame 31, such latter shaft at its upper end having amiter-gearing connection with a main crankshaft 36, whereon is thedriving-wheel 37, to which a belt (not shown) is designed to be applied.Motion from shaft 34 is communicated, through a train of gearing, to thefeed-roll shafts, and, as shown in Fig. 2, a miter-gearing between shaft18 and shaft 24 (upon which the two roller-frames are pivoted)communicates motion to the shafts of the withdrawalrolls. The cams 6 areon one of the gearingshafts mounted in frames 17.

SZizftt'ngdz'es.-There are two sets of slittingdies, as well as two setsof feed-rolls, distending-dies, and withdrawal-rolls, thereby allowingfor working two sheets at a time. Each set of slitting-dies consists ofan upper verti- Cally-reciprocating series and a lower stationaryseries, the latter being mounted in a cross-piece or housing 38 of frame31 and the former in vertically-- movable housings 39. These latterhousings are connected by links 40 to the main crank-shaft 36, each linkhaving a turnbuckle 41 to permit of easy adjustment. The dies of theupper and lower series are arranged alternately, as shown in Fig. 5, thedies of each series being separated by blocks or plates 42'snfficientlyto accommodate the dies of the other series. The blocks 42 are beveledoutwardly from their centers, so as to direct away from the dies anyscale that may be out from the sheets during the splitting thereof. Eachof the dies and each of the spacing-blocksof each series is ,cut out andbeveled along one edge to accommodate a locking wedge-block 43, held inplace by set-screws 44. The two sets of dies are coincident with anopening formed in a table 45 of frame 31. This table for the purpose offorming this opening is composed of two parts or sections, their inneropposite edges being disconnected save through the intermediary of twoseries of upper and lower stripper-bars 46, the bars of each seriesbeing interposed in line between the dies of the respeotive upper orlower series. At their ends these stripper-bars are beveled to conformto corresponding bevels of retaining-plates 47, held to upper and lowertie-plates 48, which latter are secured by bolts 49 to the table 45adjacent to the opening therein, and they are held slightly separatedbetween their opposite faces by washers 50. The function of thisarrangement is that a sheet after being slitted is prevented frombinding between any ofthe dies, the several stripper-bars serving toforce the sheets out of engagement with the dies immediately upon theupper dies being elevated or withdrawn. This is due to the fact that thestripper-bars being held only at their ends and spanning the opening inthe table have a certain amount of spring or resiliency, which, togetherwith the spring or resiliency inherent in the table itself, tends tocause the stripper-bars to immediately resume their normal positionsupon removal of the pressure of the upper dies. Thus a sheet isprevented from adhering to either set of dies. Furthermore, by bevelingthe edges of the spacing-blocks 42- scale .is prevented fromaccumulating between the dies, being directed away therefrom by saidblocks, with the result that the dies may be freely worked withoutdanger of binding or being injured by the accumulation of scale.Disien(Zz"ng-dies. 1he lower distending- ICC IIO

dies are fixedly mounted each in a base 60, supported by frame 31, whilethe upper distending-dies depend from arms 61, pivotally hung on across-rod 62, and at their free ends these arms are connected by links63 to rearward extensions 64 of the vertically-movable housings 39. Bythis means the upper distending-dies are alternately raised and loweredsimultaneously with the raising and lowering of the upper series ofslitting-dies. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, these dies have on their facesalternate concaves 65, between which are central projections 66, alsoconcaved on either side of their centers. By this construction the diesupon engaging opposite sides of a sheet, adjacent to the slits thereof,distend or force the slitted portions upwardly and downwardly-that is,in opposite directions in planes at substantially right angles to theplane of the sheet-thereby forcing the slitted or separated sections ofthe sheet apart and increasing the size of each slit looking at thelatter transversely. Now that the sheet has been slitted and the slittedportion distended it is taken up by the withdrawal-rolls, which when thesheet has one passed free of the feeding'rolls control the furtherpassage of the sheet through the machine and efiect its dischargetherefrom.

Delivery-tabla-Upon the sheet leaving the slitting and distendingmachine it is fed by the Withdrawal-rolls onto the delivery-table 22.This table is composed of two tilting sections 70, each a practicalduplicate. of the other, the two being provided to receive two sheets asthey leave the die-machine. Each of these tilting sections consists of aseries oftable-section is held in its normal horizontal position by aweighted arm 74, also secured to shaft 73. As a sheet is about to passfree of the withdrawal-rolls it is engaged by a feed-roll 75, driven bya belt 76, which feedroll, coacting with a lower feed-roll 77, feeds theplate to the extreme rear end of the tablesection. Upon reaching thisend the plate comes in contact with a dog 78, pivotally hung from an arm79, fast on shaft 73, at the end thereof. This dog has a shouldered pinextending from its outer face, and by reason of the weight of its lowerend normally occupies the position shown in Fig. 13-that is, out of therange of movement of a second dog 81, pivotally hung in a second arm 82.This latter arm is loosely journaled at one end on shaft 73, and to itsother end is connected a pitman 83, which is actuated by a wheel 84, towhich motion is communicated from drive-shaft 85. As stated, dog 78 inits normal position is out of the range of movement of dog 81, whichlatter in the constant raising and lowering of arm 82 through the actionof pitman 83 constantly passes back and forth in close relation to butnot engaging with the shouldered pin 80 of dog 78.

When, however, the sheet is brought into engagement with this dog 78,the latter is turned on its pivot'bearings and forced slightly outward,as shown in Fig. 14, into the line of travel of the reciprocating dog81, with the result that as the latter in its downward stroke engagesthe pin of dog 78 the tablesection will be tilted, as shown in dottedlines, Fig. 4, and the plate allowed to fall therefrom at one side ontoa series of conveyer-' belts 86, by which it is carried to one side ofthe delivery-table. Immediately upon the plate being so discharged dog78 will resume its normal position, thereby allowing the ta bio-sectionto return to its horizontal position under the action of weight 74,31161the dog 81 may continue to swing up and down without contacting with theformer until another sheet is ready to be discharged onto the conveyer.The sheet is then presented to an ex pander, whereby it is stretched orexpanded laterally. The machine for accomplishing this forms thesubject-matter of a concurrent application for patent this day executedby me.

I claim as my invention- 1..In a metal-expanding machine, a series ofrotary feeders having tangentially-arranged grippers designed to engagea sheet of metal and draw the same to the feeders, as set forth.

2. In a metal-expanding-machine, a series of rotary feed-rolls, and aseries of grippers mounted on said rolls and extended tangentiallytherefrom for engaging a sheet of metal in advance of the rolls anddrawing it into engagement with the latter, substantially as set forth.

3. In a metal-expanding machine, a series of feed-rolls having each twospaced-apart disks, a series of gripper-fingers, pivotally hung betweensuch disks,and springs for holding such fingers extended tangentiallybeyond the disks, as set forth.

4:. In a metal-expanding machine, means for intermittently slitting ametal sheet, constantly-operated means for feeding the sheet to suchslitting means, and means controlling such feeding means for preventingan overfeed of the sheet to the slitting means while the sheet is beingslitted, as set forth.

5. In a metal-expanding machine, means for slitting a metal sheet,constantly-operated feed-rolls for feeding the sheet to such slittingmeans, and means for bodily moving such feed-rolls in opposition to thedirection of the feed of the sheet while the slitting means is actingthereon, as set forth.

6. Ina metal-expanding machine, means for slitting a metal sheet,constantly-operated 7. In a metal-expanding machine, means for slittinga metal sheet, constantly-operated feed-rolls for feeding the sheet tosuch slitting means, withdrawal-rolls for engaging the sheet beyond theslitting means, and means for bodily moving the feed-rolls andwithdrawal-rolls in opposition to the direction of the feed of the sheetwhile the slitting means is acting thereon, as set forth.

8. In a metal-expanding machine, means for slitting a metal sheet,constantly-operated feed-rolls, constantly-operated withdrawalrolls,frames for each set of rolls pivotally supported, connections betweensuch frames, a constantly-operated cam, and an arm actuated therebyconnected to one of said frames, said frames and rolls being bodilyreciprocated during the action of the slitting means, as set forth.

9. In a metal-expanding machine, means for slitting a sheet comprisingupper and lower dies arranged in series, and separatingblocks betweenthe dies of each series, the

- blocks of one series being in line with the dies of the other series,said blocks having their edges beveled, as and for the purpose stated.

10. In a metal-expanding machine, means for slitting a sheet comprisingupper and lower dies arranged in series, the dies of each series beingspaced apart to accommodate the dies of the other series, and meansbetween the dies of each series for preventing the sheet adheringthereto, as set forth.

11. In a metal-expanding machine, means for slitting a sheet comprisingupper and lower dies arranged in series, the dies of each series beingspaced apart to accommodate the dies of the other series, andstripper-plates extended between the dies of each series andsupported'at their ends, substantially as set forth.

12. In a metal-expanding machine, a table having an opening therein,upper and lower dies arranged in series, one of which is located withinsuch opening of the table, the other series being movable into and outof such opening, the dies of each series being spaced apart, andstripper-bars extending across the opening and located in line with thespaces between the dies, substantially as set forth.

13. The combination with the table having an opening therein, of thelower series of dies, fitted in said opening, the upperverticallymovable series of dies, the dies of each series being spacedapart, those of one series alining with the intervening spaces of theother series, the upper and lower series of stripperbars extended acrosssuch opening and arranged, respectively, in line with the interveningspaces of each series of dies, and the retaining-plates holding saidstripperbars, said plates being secured to the table adjacent to itsopening, substantially as set forth.

14.-. The combination with the frame having a table formed with anopening therein, of the lower series of dies fitted in said opening, the

upper series of dies in line therewith, the ver' tically-movable housingcarrying said upper dies, means for operating the same, the dies of thetwo series being alternately arranged with intervening spaces, upper andlower series of stripper-bars in line, respectively, with theintervening spaces of each series of dies, said stripper-bars beingbeveled at their ends, and retaining-plates secured to the table onopposite sides of the opening and having-beveled edges conforming to theends of the stripper-bars, substantially as set forth.

15. In a metal-expanding machine, means for slitting a metal sheetcomprising a stationary die and a movable die, means for moving suchlatter die, and means for distending the slitted portions of the sheetin opposite directions, comprising a stationary die and a movable die,and a connection between such lattervdie and the movable die of theslitting means, as set forth.

16. In a metal-expanding machine, means for distending the slittedsections of a metal sheet in opposite directions comprising two flatcoacting dies, each of which is formed with alternating concavedportions and intermediate central projecting portions, each of suchlatter portions being concaved on each side of its center, as set forth.

17. In a metal-expanding machine, means for distending the slittedsections of a metal sheet in opposite directions comprising two coactingdies, each of which is formed with alternating transversely-extendedconcavities, and intermediate projecting portions between theconcavities in line with the centers thereof, each of such portionsbeing concaved to the sides of the dies, as set forth.

18. In a metal-expanding machine, means for slittinga metal sheet,meansfor distending the slitted portions of such sheet, constantlyoperatedfeed-rolls for feeding the sheet to the slitting and distending means,constantlyoperated withdrawal-rolls for acting on the sheet after it isdistended, and means for bodily moving such feed-rolls andwithdrawalrolls in opposition to the direction of the passage of thesheet while the slitting and disforth.

19. In a metal-expanding machine, means for slitting a metal sheet,means for distending the slitted sections in opposite directions,

constantly-operated feed-rolls for feeding a tending means are actingthereon, as set the latter, a constantly-operated dog, said former dogbeing normally out of the line of movement of the constantly-operateddog and designed to be engaged thereby when moved into the line oftravel thereof by a metal sheet engaging therewith, as set forth.

21. The combination with the table-frame, and a rock-shaft mountedthereon, of a supporting-section secured to such rock-shaft, an

ting a metal sheet, means for distending the slitted sections, and thewithdrawal-rolls, of the delivery-table onto which the sheet is fed bysaid withdrawal-rolls, a rock-shaft, a tilting section secured to saidrock-shaft, feedrolls near one end of such section, a dog fast on saidshaft, an arm loose on said shaft, a second dog carried thereby, meansfor constantly reciprocating said arm and dog, the first-mentioned dogbeing normally out of the line of movement of the second dog anddesigned to be engaged thereby to efiect the tilting of thetable-section when engaged by the sheet on the latter, substantially asset forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

GUSTAV J. HOLL.

lVitnesses:

W. G. KENAGA, M. E. KEPLINGER.

